Composition for transfection of DNA into the liver

Abstract

A composition useful for ultrasound facilitated in vivo transfection of DNA into liver cells of a mammal comprises (a) an ultrasonic contrast agent comprising protein-stabilized gas-filled microspheres, and (b) plasmid DNA encoding apo A1. Preferably, the gass in the microspheres is air, nitrogen oxygen, or a fluorocarbon gas. In some preferred embodiments the DNA encoding apo A1 is operably linked to a promoter.

1 . A composition useful for ultrasound facilitated in vivo transfection of DNA into liver cells of a mammal, which comprises: 
 (a) an ultrasonic contrast agent comprising protein-stabilized gas-filled microspheres, and    (b) plasmid DNA encoding apo A1.    
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the gas-filled microspheres contain a gas selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, and oxygen.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the gas-filled microspheres contain a fluorocarbon gas.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the DNA encoding apo A1 is operably linked to a promoter.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the gas-filled microspheres are stabilized by human serum albumin.  
   
   
       6 . A composition useful for ultrasound facilitated in vivo transfection of DNA into liver cells of a mammal, which comprises: 
 (a) an ultrasonic contrast agent comprising protein-stabilized fluorocarbon gas-filled microspheres, and    (b) plasmid DNA encoding apo A1 operably linked to a promoter.    
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the gas-filled microspheres are stabilized by human serum albumin.